Shelf or rack.



G. E. DEAN. SHELF OR RAGK.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 16, 1907.

iii-iii!!! 1 1 1 I 1 l l v l l Inventor,

Witnesses -GEORGE E. DEAN, OF ALBION, MICHIGAN.

SHELF OR RACK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 25, 190'? Application filed March 16, 1907. Serial No. 362,697..

T0 at whom it may concern.-

" Be it known that I, GEORGE E. DEAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Albion, county of Calhoun, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shelves or Racks, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in metal shelves or racks.

My improved shelf or rack is more particularly designed by me for use as an oven or refrigerator shelf or rack, although it is adapted for use in a great variety of places, particularly where a strong, light metal shelf or rack is required. ".The main objects of this invention are, first, to provide an improved metal shelf or rack which is strong and rigid and at the same time one which is comparatively light in weight and economical to produce. Second, to provide in a metal shelf or rack an improved ledge-engaging hook, whereby the same may be supported in a withdrawn or partially withdrawn position.

Further objects, and objects relating to details of construction, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects .of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out inthe claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which,

Figure 1 is a plan of my improved shelf or rack, the same being illustrated in connection with sup orting ledges. Fig. 2 is a detail horizonta section taken on a line corresponding to line 22 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a detail'vertical section taken. on a line corresponding to line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail section taken on a line corresponding to line 4-4 of Fig. 1, showing the arrangement of the cross-bars and the transverse connecting bar 4 thereof. 5 is an enlarged detail section taken on a ine corresponding toline 5 -.5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a detail plan of a modified construction of my improved shelf, only one of the bars being provided with ledge-engaging hooks.

In the drawing, the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines, and

similar' numerals of'reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referrim to the drawing, 1l represent the walls of an oven or other structure, pro- ,vided with shelf or rack su porting ledges 2. My improved shelf or rac is made up of a plurality of cross bars 5, preferably formed of wire, and provided with laterally-turned ends 5. The end pieces 3 are formed of sheet metal, the same being folded over and clamped u on the ends of the cross-bars and the laterally-turned portions 5 thereof, as clearly appears from the drawing.

One or more of the cross-bars, preferably the rear pair, are provided with downwardlyprojecting outwardly-opening ledge-engaging hooks 6, the hooks being formed by turning the ends of the laterally-turned portions 5 of the cross-bars inwardly, thence downwardly and thence outwardly, as clearly appears in Fig. 3. When the sheet metal end pieces are folded over the ends of these cross-pieces, they are securely clamped, so that it is impossible for the cross-bars to rock or turn in the end pieces, even though the shelf may be under heavy strain, as when it is withdrawn, or partially Withdrawn, with an object resting upon the outer end thereof.

The front cross-bar is preferably so arranged that the end pieces engage only the laterally-projecting portions thereof, so that the shelf is provided with rounded, smooth corners at its forward end; see Fig. 1.

To assist in retaining the forward crossbar in place, I preferably indent the end pieces as at 9; see Fig. 5. The cross-bars are all secured together by the centrallyarranged transverse bar 4, which consists of a strip of metal arranged on edge and provided with suitably spaced notches at its upper edge adapted to receive the cross-bars.

The metal of the connecting bar is upset at each side of the cross-bars, as at 8-8, (see Fig. 4) securely clamping the same upon the cross-bars. This prevents the sagging of any one or more of the cross-bars, keeping them all in alinement and distributing the strain so that none of the bars are likel to be bent or distorted by any strain w 'ch may come upon oneor more of them. It also secures the bars so that the shelf is very rigid, it being quite unlikely to be racked, or the bars loosened, although subjected to severe usage. By securing the connecting bar as 1 have illustrated and described, no part thereof projects above the cross bars so that the surface of the shelf is perfectly smooth.

Other advantages than those enumerated will readily appear to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates. I have illustrated and described the same in detail in the form referred by me on account of its structural simplicity and economy. I am, however, aware that it is capable of considerable variation in structural details Witho ut departing from my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. A shelf or rack comprising a plurality of cross-bars having laterally-turned ends,

. the rear pair of crossbars having down- Wardly-projecting outwardly-facing ledge engaging hooks formed on the lateral projections thereof; sheet metal end pieces folded over and clamped upon the ends of said cross-bars, said end pieces being arranged to engage only the laterallyturned portions of the front cross-bar; and a connecting bar having notches in its upper edge in which said cross-bars are arranged, said connecting bar being swaged or upset to clamp the crossbars in the said notches thereof, as specified. 2. A shelf or rack comprising a plurality of cross-bars having laterally-turned ends, one of said cross-bars having downwardlyo-jecting outwardly-facing ledge-engaging ooks formed on the lateral projections .thereof; sheet metal end pieces folded over and clamped upon the ends of said cross-bars, said end pieces being arranged to engage only the laterally-turned portions of the front cross bar; and a connecting bar having notches in its upper edge in which. said crossbars are arranged, said connecting bar being sWa-ged or upset to clamp the crossbars in the said notches thereof, as specified.

3. A shelf or rack comprising a plurality of cross-bars having laterally turned ends, the rear pair of cross-bars having down- Wardly-projecting outwardly-facing ledgeengaging hooks formed on the lateral projections thereof; sheet metal end pieces folded over and clamped upon the ends of said cross bars; and a connecting bar having notches in its upper edge in which said crossbars are arranged, said connecting bar being swaged or upset to clamp the cross-bars in the said notches thereof, as specified.

4. A shelf or rack comprising a plurality of cross-bars having laterally-turned ends, one of said cross-bars having downwardlyprojecting outwardly-facing ledge-engaging hooks formed on the lateral projections thereof; sheet metal end pieces folded over and clamped upon the ends of said cross-b ars; and a connecting bar having notches in its upper edge in which said cross-bars are ar ranged, said connecting bar being swaged or upset to clamp the cross-bars in the said notches thereof, as specified.

5. A shelf or rack comprising a plurality of cross-bars having laterally-turned ends, the rear pair of crossbars having downwardly projecting outwardly-facing ledgeengaging hooks formed on the lateral projections thereof; and sheet metal end pieces folded over and clamped upon the ends of said cross-bars, said end pieces being ar ranged to engage only the laterally-turned portions of the front crosshars, as specifier-l.

6. A shelf or rack comprising a plurality of cross-bars having laterally-turned ends, one of said cross-bars having downwardly-projecting outwardly-facin ledge-engaging hooks formed on the latera projections thereof; and sheet metal end pieces folded over and clamped upon the ends of said cross-bars, said end pieces being arranged to engage only the laterally-turned portions of the front cross-bar, as specified.

7. A shelf or rack comprising a plurality of cross-bars having laterally-turned ends, the rear pair of cross-bars having downwardlyprojecting outwardlyfacing ledge-engaging hooks formed on the lateral projections thereof; and sheet metal end pieces folded over and clamped upon the ends of said crossbars, as specified.

8. A shelf or rack comprising a plurality of cross bars having laterally turned ends, one of said cross-bars having downwardlyprojecting outwardly-facing ledge-engaging hooks formed on the lateral projections thereof; and sheet metal end pieces folded over and clamped upon the ends of said crossbars, as specified.

9.. A shelf or rack comprising a plurality of cross-bars having laterally-turned ends; sheet metal end pieces folded over and clamped upon the ends of said cross-bars, said end pieces being arranged to engage only the laterally-turned portions of the front cross-bar and a connecting bar having notches inits upper edge in Which said crossbars are arranged, said connecting bar being swaged or upset to clamp the cross-bars in the said notches thereof, as specified.

10. Ashelf or rack comprising a plurality of crossbars having laterally-turned ends; sheet metal end pieces folded over and clamped upon the ends of said cross-bars; and a connecting bar having notches in its upper edge in which said cross-bars are arranged, said connecting bar being swaged or upset to clamp the cross bars in the said notches thereof, as specified.

1 1. Ashelf or rack comprising a plurality of cross-bars, the front and rear cross-bars having laterally-turned ends, the rear cross-bar having downwardly projecting outwardlyfacing ledge-engaging hooks formed on the laterally-turned ends thereof; sheet metal end pieces folded over and clamped upon the ends of said cross-bars, said end pieces being arranged to engage only the laterally-turned portion of the front cross-bar; and a connecting bar having notches in its upper edge in which said cross-bars are arranged, said connecting bar being swaged or upset to clamp the cross-bars in the said notches thereof, as

specified.

1 2. A shelf or rack comprising a plurality of crossbars, the front and ,rear cross-bars having laterally-turned ends, the rear cross-bar having downwardly projecting outwardlyfacing ledge-engaging hooks formed on the laterally-turned ends thereof; and sheet metal end pieces folded over and clamped upon the ends of said cross-bars, said end pieces bein arranged to engage only the laterally-turne portion of the front cross-bar, as specified.

13. Ashelf or rack comprising a plurality of cross-bars, one of the cross-bars having laterally-turned ends, provided with downwardlyprojecting outwardly-facing ledge-engaging hooks; and sheet metal end pieces folded over 14. Ashelf or rack comprising a plurality of cross-bars, one of the cross bars having its ends formed into outwardly-facing ledge-enagin hooks; and sheet metal end pieces olde over and clamped upon the ends of said cross-bars, as specified.

'15. Ashelf or rack comprising a plurality of cross-bars sheet metal end pieces folded over and clamped upon the ends of said cross-bars; and a transverse bar having notches in its upper edge in which said cross-bars are ar- 'ranged,said transverse bar being swaged or upset to clamp the cross-bars in the said notches thereof, as specified.

In witnesswhereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two Witnesses.

GEORGE E. DEAN. [L. s.] 

